Prefixes
Epi-
Above or Upon, describing the upper central abdominal region located directly over the stomach.
-Itis
Inflammation, seen in conditions like gastritis or appendicitis.
gastr/o
Refers directly to the stomach.
What is the stomach?
An organ that churns food and mixes it with acid to form a liquid mixture named chyme, and digests food for nutrients.
What is Gastrointestinal abbreviation?
GI, Pertaining to the stomach and intestines.
Dys-
Painful or Difficult, commonly paired with -pepsia to describe indigestion.
-ectomy
Surgical removal or excision as used in removing organs such as the gallbladder.
Usually means intestine, specifically the small intestine.
What is the Esophagus?
A muscular tube that delivers food from the throat down to the stomach using contractions.
What is the abbreviation for Nothing By Mouth.
NPO, meaning the patient is restricted from consuming food or fluids orally.
Peri-
Around or Surrounding, used to describe the placement or location of the organs in the abdominal region.
-pepsia
Digestion, used in forms like bradypepsia (Slow Digestion).
cholecyst/o
Meaning the gallbladder, the sac that stores bile.
What is the Pancreas?
An accessory organ that sits behind the stomach and secretes digestive enzymes into the first part of the small intestine.
What is the abbreviation for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?
GERD, a chronic backup of digestive acid into the esophagus.
Retro-
Behind or Backward, describing digestive organs like the pancreas that sit outside and behind the abdominal cavity lining.
-Stomy
Creating a new opening, such as connecting a part of the large intestine to the abdominal wall.
hepat/o
Meaning liver, the large organ responsible for processing nutrients and producing bile.
What is the Duodenum?
The first section of the small intestine where more chemical digestion begins.
What is the abbreviation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
IBD, which means chronic long-term inflammation of the digestive tract.
Mal-
Bad or poor, used to describe the impaired absorption of nutrients by the small intestine.
-rrhea
Flow or discharge, forming the medical word for frequent, watery bowel movements.
Choledoch/o
Refers specifically to the common bile duct.
What is the cecum?
The beginning of the large intestine, to which the appendix is attached.
What is the abbreviation for Liver Function Tests?
LFTs, which means blood test used to measure how well the liver is doing.